Battery Insulation Assembly That Melts for Thermal Runaway Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for alleviating thermal runaway in electrochemical devices, such as batteries, through pressure relief grooves or holes are inefficient and increase material costs, reducing production efficiency and energy density.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical device with an insulation assembly that includes a first insulator with a melting point suitable for creating a pressure relief channel when temperature rises, eliminating the need for laser drilling and pressure relief valves, while maintaining hermetic insulation and improving bonding strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser drilling is used to create pressure relief grooves or holes, then pressure relief function is achieved, but production efficiency decreases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation assembly automatically melts to form a pressure relief channel when thermal runaway occurs, eliminating the need for external laser drilling operations. The system serves itself by using the thermal energy from thermal runaway to create the pressure relief path, thereby improving production efficiency while maintaining pressure relief function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the need for separate pressure relief grooves or holes by integrating the pressure relief function into the insulation assembly itself. The insulation assembly's melting behavior extracts the pressure relief capability from traditional structural modifications, simplifying the manufacturing process
2Reliability
If pressure relief valves are installed, then pressure relief function is achieved, but material cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insulation function and pressure relief function into a single insulation assembly component. The insulation assembly serves dual purposes: providing electrical insulation during normal operation and forming a pressure relief channel when melted during thermal runaway, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for separate pressure relief valves
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: electrical insulation under normal conditions and pressure relief during thermal runaway. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated pressure relief components, reducing both material cost and device complexity
3Reliability
If pressure relief valves are installed, then pressure relief function is achieved, but workspace requirement increases and energy density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pressure relief function into the insulation assembly, the patent eliminates the need for separate pressure relief valves and their associated mounting spaces. This integration reduces the workspace requirement, allowing more space to be utilized for active materials, thereby improving energy density while maintaining pressure relief function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances production efficiency and energy density by simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing material costs, and effectively preventing explosions due to thermal runaway without additional operations like laser drilling.
Implementation Method 1
The first insulator is able to be melted when a temperature in the accommodation cavity rises to a first threshold, and generate, under an action of a gas pressure in the accommodation cavity, a pressure relief channel that communicates the accommodation cavity to an outside of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A first sidewall of a housing includes a first wall face and a second wall face. The first sidewall includes a penetrative mounting hole. An insulation assembly is snugly connected to the first wall face or the second wall face. A first insulator includes a penetrative first through-hole. The first through-hole communicates with the mounting hole. An electrode post is disposed in the mounting hole and the first through-hole. When a temperature in an accommodation cavity rises to a first threshold, the first insulator is melted and generates, under an action of a gas pressure in the accommodation cavity of the housing, a pressure relief channel that communicates the accommodation cavity to the outside of the housing. The insulation assembly serves functions of both insulation and pressure relief, thereby not only reducing the material cost, but also improving the energy density of the electrochemical device.